Railways now change the rules for availing the Senior Citizen Concession & Quota
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 10, 2016
After modifying the cancellation rules & child concession, the Indian Railways has now modified the rules for those availing the senior citizen quota and concession. Those found to be misusing the quota & concession from 1st February, 2016 will be charged a penalty in addition to charging the difference between the normal & concessional fare.
Like in other public services, the Indian Railways also extend certain facilities to senior citizens. These facilities are extended to men who are a minimum of 60 years and women of minimum 58 years of age. They are granted concession in fares of all classes of trains. The concession is 40% of the fare for men and 50% of the fare for women.
Other Facilities extended to Senior Citizens
Instances of misuse of the Quota & Concession to Senior Citizens
As per the current system of booking, no proof of age is required at the time of purchasing tickets. However, during journey the senior citizen is required to carry prescribed documentary proof issued by any Government agency showing their age or date of birth. In case the senior citizen is not able to produce the requisite proof of age during the journey, he/she is charged the difference of fare (between full fare and concessional fare). Apart from this, Senior citizens are also provided a facility to get confirmed lower berths under Senior Citizen Quota.
The Indian Railways found instances of misuse of both the concession and quota in the following ways.
The new rules have a provision for Penalty
The Indian Railways has now modified the existing rules governing the Senior Citizen travel. The broad changes that will come into effect from 1 February, 2016 are the following.
The Railways has also instructed its ticket checking staff to be patient and tactful while handling such passengers to avoid any complaint regarding any harassment.
Featured Image:
By Jaaron95 (Photo taken during my rail- fanning session.) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Senior Couple by Milton Raposo C. Rêgo Jr. from the Noun Project